number one, chuck hagel is someone of stature. he was a war hero, a combat veteran, a person of enormous personal distinction in his record of public service, in the senate, but, also, in uniform, and, second, you know, there are tremendously consequential issues that are equally important to ask about during this hearing. for example, the shift of focus to the asia-pacific theatre. will we have the undersea war fare capability as well as air superiority to defend our strategy in that part of the world? submarines, the joint strike fighter, tremendously important to us. i want to ask senator hagel about his positions on those issues. i think we have reached a point in this country, unfortunately, where positions are taken on nominees, very dramatic, and staunch positions, before they have the opportunity to give their own -- >> to make it clear. you are not. this is a democratic president, you are at this point not prepared to say you support the hagel nomination. >> i think senator hagel will be approved and i think the history o